The Seattle Post Intelligencer

WASHINGTON.

Great Prosperity of the Walla Country.

Introduction of Blue-Stem Wheat—Growth of Sehome and of Centralia.

WALLA WALLA, Jan. 1.—The holidays have passed most pleasantly. There has been nothing in general to mar the good-will to man and everybody else that seems to be all-pervading here. Nor has there appeared too much, if any, of private or particular grief or misfortune to disturb the air of content and happiness that one and all seem to so happily possess. Our crops have been good, the prices paid for all commodities splendid, the general health excellent, money abundant and weather fine. Why should we of this magnificent valley, of this pretty city of homes, be otherwise than content and happy in view of these enviable concomitants. Our merchants say that their business was better by 75 per cent. during the holidays than ever before during the same period, and they say, too, that there was more cash handled—more twenty-dollar gold-pieces in sight than has ever been seen here before, except in the good old mining days before the railroads, when this was the rendezvous, the starting point, the outfitting place as well as the wintering place, for those who came and went in the Oro Fino days. Everything prosperous, everything lovely, everything that savors of true enjoyment, of genuine felicity and supreme happiness, is dated back to those wild and generous times, or compared to that seemingly prehistoric time when a start was made for the Salmon river placer mines.

WEALTH OF THE COUNTY.

Recent dispatches informed you of our good financial condition. Competent authority places the real salable value of the property in the county at $20,000,000. The city's wealth is figured at about $2,500,000. On this sum total a tax yielding slightly less than $100,000 is obtained which is not only abundant for all needs, but leaves annually a handsome surplus. This, too, in spite of general county expenditure that is so very free-handed that were the same liberality displayed in some of the older counties in the states 'back East' it would drive the methodical people there frantic. Placing our county's population at 10,000, which is a generous allowance, the property value, if divided, would give at least $2,000 to every man, woman and child in the county. This is a good showing, truly; so good indeed that it is doubtful if there is a like area and population in the Union that can excel this showing. This, too, in a section that less than three years ago was entirely given over to stock-raising or meadow-farming along the streams that meander through this valley. With no misfortune to discourage us in our prosperous onward march, it is not only interesting but pleasing to contemplate the plenteous days to come.

BLUE-STEM WHEAT.

Since the introduction of the blue-stem wheat in this section, not only have the averages of the wheat crop been increased 25 per cent., but the happy discovery has been made that this species of wheat will grow well on ground heretofore considered totally unfit for grain because of its loose and sandy composition. For instance, in the neighborhood of Vansycle, where because of the ashy nature of the soil and arid climate, the club wheat has been a failure so frequently that the endeavors to raise wheat, and other grains, too, had been well-nigh abandoned, two years of success beyond expectation with the blue-stem has not only raised the spirits of the discouraged farmers generally, but has demonstrated that the strip of land on the south bank of the Columbia, some 12 miles wide and over a hundred miles long, possessing features identical with these of the Vansycle locality, will, if seeded to this kind of wheat, become a productive grain section instead of being given up to sage brush and stock ranges, as is now unfortunately the case. Thus it is being practically disclosed that no difference here forbidding in aspect or superficially worthless portions our land, may be it is of value, perhaps of great value, in the years to come, by reason of the introduction of some new cereal or fruit, or species thereof whose nature permits it to live and thrive in localities that now produce nothing of value.

A SOLID BANKING HOUSE.

As soon as the Baker-Boyer National bank is on its legs, so to speak, Mr. J. F. Boyer will give up active work and retire to the shade of private life, to enjoy, as well as may be, the rest so well earned through a long and arduous business life. His place will be ably filled by H. E. Johnson, recently elected cashier of the institution, and who for years has been a member of the well-known hardware firm of O'Donnell & Johnson, of this city. Mr. Frank D. Boyer will retain about the same active position he has filled for so many years in the old firm of Baker & Boyer with such satisfaction to the public and credit to himself. Mr. A. J. Anderson, Jr., will retain his present billet as chief book-keeper. The executors of the estate of D. S. Baker, the recently deceased millionaire, will establish an office on the Second-street side of the bank building, the new bank occupying the quarters of the old house, and handle such securities and papers as are not ordinarily dealt in by national banks. Altogether, the combination will be peculiarly well equipped in a financial way for doing a splendid business, and to continue the well-earned fame of the banking house of Baker & Boyer, which for years has been a synonym of strength and security throughout the entire Northwest.